Multinational phase 3 trial of first-line camrelizumab plus rivoceranib versus sorafenib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

The multinational phase 3 CARES-310 trial evaluated camrelizumab (anti-PD-1 antibody) plus rivoceranib (anti-angiogenic targeted therapy, aka apatinib) versus the standard sorafenib as first-line treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). Median progression-free survival was 5.6 months versus 3.7 months (HR 0.52; p<0.0001) and median overall survival was 22.1 months versus 15.2 months (HR 0.62; p<0.0001) with camrelizumab-rivoceranib versus sorafenib. The OS benefit with camrelizumab-rivoceranib versus sorafenib was seen in almost all subgroups.Treatment-related serious adverse events were reported in 24% versus 6%, including treatment-related death in one patient in each study arm. The authors conclude that camrelizumab-rivoceranib could be an new and effective first-line treatment option for uHCC.